MERSEYSIDE waste bosses yesterday denied they would start dumping rubbish at a former North Wales quarry from today.

Protesters believed Mersey Waste Holdings was to begin operations at the former Hafod Quarrynear Johnstown, Wrexham.

But MWH chiefs yesterday said they would only start when they had received the go-ahead from Environment Agency Wales.

Agency bosses asked them to provide with further operational information.

The Hafod Environmental Group claim MWH, contracted to Mersey Waste Disposal Authority, had not complied with legal requirements over environ-mental habitats at the site.

But company bosses insist when they start everything will be done entirely within the law.

Wrexham council planners said the plans generated complex legal issues over a Special Conservation Area (SAC) there, home to great crested newts.

Chief planner Lawrence Isted said: "The planning committee considered a report in April on the status of the permissions following counsel's advice and resolved that I approach MWH Associates Ltd, the operators of the site, to see if they were prepared to submit a new planning application to modify the permission.

"In the meantime my officers have been undertaking a review of the impact of the planning permissions on the SAC and whether these permissions should be 'affirmed', 'modified' or 'revoked' to protect it, as we are required to do under the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations."

MWH later wrote to confirm it did not intend to submit a revised planning application.

Mr Isted added: "The local planning authority now needs to decide whether to modify or revoke the mineral extraction and landfill permissions in order to protect the SAC and I will be reporting on this and the status of the permissions with suggested courses of action to the September planning committee.

"In the meantime Ican confirm the developer is not in breach of any planning condition imposed on the permissions and that consequently tipping operations can commence.

"If, however, residents have information that any of the conditions have not been met they should bring this to my attention."